It’s hard to believe we’ve been here 2-1/2 years already. And that we haven’t yet painted the kids rooms. Kenzie’s been asking for her room to be painted, so we set a goal of having it done by her upcoming birthday. She and Mason “helped” which means it took about two hours long than it would have, but we added a couple of embellishments and she loves it.
The black in the center of the flowers is a chalk board.
It was tempting fate to put a picture of Grampy holding baseballs in Mason’s room. Grampy’s hand looks like it is there waiting for one more. The look on his face is both expectant and satisfied.
To show her these portraits that he’s done of us (post Botox evidently)…
Then he sang her a song
And finally, each child had been given the chance to pick out a poem or saying that they found particularly meaningful to their mom. Here was Mason’s…how sweet!?!
Cindy pointed out the fact that most of our pictures are of the kids and me. She lugs the camera around, which means there aren’t as many of her. Except in this one…if you look real close.
Okay, maybe she’s not in this one…
or this one…
But, she is in them when Casey takes it. :)
We went to the Camp Fire camping on Vashon Island again this year. We didn’t actually stay overnight, but we still are going to call it camping. It was a jam-packed day and, of course, a terrific photo opp.
We woke up this morning to pouring rain. Even though it’s mid-May the forecast called for snow in the foothills! It did not appear that Mother Nature was going to cooperate with us. However, outside of two drops of rain (literally), it was beautiful. The sun shone most of the day and we were able to spend it outside. The first peek of the sun was as we were waiting in line for the ferry at Fauntleroy.
Mason’s shirt came off early. Here he and Luke are showing off their muscles. Again.
At first Kenzie had a tough time jumping into the group of girls that all know each other pretty well, but after short time they were all getting along and focused on the much-anticipated dance routine to be performed in front of the entire camp later in the evening.
We went for a couple of walks on the beach. And, of course, got the obligatory cartwheel on the beach picture.
Most of the walk back Mason made me pitch him pinecones. He must have swung at 100. He got a little frustrated with some of my errant throws and sternly said to me, “throw it at ME,” and my aim immediately improved as I nailed him in the bellybutton. But, in true Mason fashion, he found it funny and threw it back at me, insisting on a redo. It was a little surprising how often he connected to a tiny pine cone with an 18” stick…kept me on my toes at least.
At last it was time for the big production. It was a 70s theme, in case you were wondering why Kenzie went curly.
And, alas, the big show.
But, here is my favorite shot, taken on the ride home.
When we signed Mason up for tee-ball, Cindy was very clear: she wanted to enjoy the sidelines and not coach. I volunteered to help Coach Mike, who is a friend from when we lived in West Seattle. She thought I was duping her into it, but I was not. Turns out, he found another assistant coach, Rick.
But, then Cindy went to a practice, and Mike had to miss a game, coincidentally the same time Rick was also gone. Who did he call? Me, who had volunteered? Or Cindy, who perhaps had shown more aptitude in practices. So, she has been the pseudo assistant coach. I drove to catch the tail end of “his” practice today. It's not a very exciting video, but I could have taped any 10 second and it would have been the same...Cindy's voice above all else coaching the field…
So, for the record when she tries to sit out future coaching opportunities we can all refer back to this...I don’t think she takes well to the sidelines.
Here’s the picture that Kenzie drew for me on my Mother’s Day card. I’m not sure whether I should be flattered or appalled. Either way I’ll appreciate the artistic rendering and the inference of stylishness (and slender). Oh, and the fact that this person is wearing my shoes that I had on today.
Kenzie and Mason woke us up this morning in the sweetest “Happy Mother’s day” voices. They gave us presents from school and hand-drawn cards. Kenzie made scrambled eggs for breakfast. All day Mason kept showering us with little wrapped presents, like a dime and an nickle, or a marble. Kenzie gave lots of hugs and kisses.
Best of all, they were genuinely on their best behavior the whole day. It was a real treat to see each of them trying to squash the sibling rivalries and just keep the peace. The sun was out, we played in the yard, and then they even took a nap!
Happy Mothers Day!
Mason went to his first Mariners game today with Sarah and Kyle. It was his Christmas present, and we were glad they were able to do it before they move to South Carolina in a couple of weeks! He had a great time and came home decked in Mariners garb. I asked him if he got to see any hits. He said, "yeah, they hit it just like I do...over everybody's head."
Here are a few of the pictures from Kenzie’s “photo shoot” when she and the daughters of some of my coworkers came to work last week.
Mason’s school hosted its annual art show. Here’s Mason’s display. Under the penguin picture it says “Maddie in Love,” which is what he described as his inspiration for writing it.
After reading his “story” (below) I again offered a name-your-own-price bribe to the teacher to allow me to edit next year’s story before posting on the wall. Just, for the record, not everything stated here is fact.
This is my favorite:
They also did a few dances. Here is the Maypole dance, performed by the 5’s class. Mason has the white shirt, white vest and jeans.
